Tag: safety training

What are the major changes to the Hazard Communication Standard?

GHS-HeaderThe three major areas of change are in hazard classification, labels, and safety data sheets.

  • Hazard classification: The definitions of hazard have been changed to provide specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures. These specific criteria will help to ensure that evaluations of hazardous effects are consistent across manufacturers, and that labels and safety data sheets are more accurate as a result.
  • Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
  • Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.

The GHS does not include harmonized training provisions, but recognizes that training is essential to an effective hazard communication approach. The revised Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) requires that workers be re- trained within two years of the publication of the final rule to facilitate recognition and understanding of the new labels and safety data sheets.

via Hazard Communication.

Why Is Health and Safety Important in the Workplace?

SafetyTrainingIt may seem obvious but health and safety in the workplace is extremely important, not only because it protects employees, but also because productivity increases when workers are happy and healthy. In addition, there are laws that protect employees and require training. Employers should ensure their workplace is free of hazards for their work environment and set up training programs so everyone is aware of company policies and best practices.

via Why Is Health and Safety Important in the Workplace – Ask.com.

Major Hazard Communication Changes

ghspictoMajor changes to the Hazard Communication Standard

  • Hazard classification: Provides specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards, as well as classification of mixtures.
  • Labels: Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to provide a label that includes a harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for each hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must also be provided.
  • Safety Data Sheets: Will now have a specified 16-section format.
  • Information and training: Employers are required to train workers by December 1, 2013 on the new labels elements and safety data sheets format to facilitate recognition and understanding.

via Hazard Communication.

Safety Lessons From BP Deepwater Horizon

What exactly is a negative pressure test?

If you’ve followed the coverage of the investigation into the causes of the BP Deepwater Horizon (DH) explosion that killed 11 workers, you’ve probably received a good introduction into Well Drilling 101. Terms like “annulator,”  “centralizers,” “drilling mud” and “blowout preventer” have become familiar if not completely understood; the specific purpose of each component may be hard to grasp without working in the industry. One such term that has been prominently featured in the coverage is a “negative pressure test.” Out of all of the questionable practices carried out by the companies involved in the DH disaster, the negative pressure test on April 20 may be the most critical one. According to Oil Gas Glossary.com, a negative pressure test is:

“A method of determining the amount of pressure that is allowed to appear on the casing pressure gauge as a kick is circulated out of a well. in general, it is determined by slowly pumping mud into the well while it is shut in and observing the pressure at which the formation begins to take mud.”

The negative pressure test showed there was a problem yet is was ignored by two workers with years of experience. That was a critical error that largely contributed to this tragedy. 

via What exactly is a negative pressure test?.